Rubber heel with shank supporting extension



Dec. 16, 1947. H. H. PIFER 2,432,580

RUBBER'HEEL WITH SHANK' SUPPORTING EXTENSION Filed Nav. 19, 194e Patented Dec. 16, 1947 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE RUBBER HEEL WITH sHANK SUPPORTING EXTENSION Hiram H. Pir, Norris, III. Application November 19, 1946, Serial No. 710,895

My invention relates to rubber heel construction, especially of the type that will give added and reinforced support on the axis where the Weight of the body is exerted while standing, or during walking.

An important object of my invention is to provide a rubber heel structure which has an extended arcuately shaped portion formed to lfit under the initial rearward portion of the shank of the shoe, the center thereof having a hemispherical projection on which the main load is to be supported.

A further object of my invention is to provide a rubber heel of the aforementioned character which has a sponge rubber resilient construction interposed under the hemlspherical portion, and the arcuately formed arch supporting extension.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a heel of the aforementioned character having interposed between the said heel, and the shoe heel, and shank, a resilient intermediate portion made of sponge rubber which is of the same shape as the rubber heel, and has an upward extension equivalent to the shape and configuration of the arch supporting extension provided in my heel structure.

A further object of my invention is to provide an efficient rubber heel structure which will give added support under the shank of a shoe, and which will be economical to manufacture in quan- Y tity production.

Other objects, and ancillary advantages, inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, having further reference thereto in the ensuing description, wherein like parts are characterized by like numerals, and in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a shoe, showing the heel section thereof.

Fig. 2 is a view looking at the bottom of the heel structure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken, substantially, on the lines 3 3 of Fig. 2. Y

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a slightly modified construction of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a, longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on the median line of Fig. 4.

Referring to the various views, a shoe is generally designated 6, and it is desired to indicate thereon, the axial line 'I on which the greatest pressure is exerted in the support of the weight of an individual Wearing the shoes. It can be seen that this load is primarily directed on a line which is adjacent the rearward shank formation of the shoe.

4 Claims. (Cl. 3,6-76) My heel structure is, generally, designated 8 and consists of a rear rubber heel portion IU, having conguratively formed adjacent thereto the arcurately formed arch supporting extension II, provided at the central portion thereof with a hemispherical projection 9.

The rubber heel 8 is made of rubber material of suitable consistency as indicated by conventional manufacture of rubber heels in the rubber heel art.

In Fig. 3, I indicate the leather heel structure I3 of the shoe E, and my heel 8 secured thereto, yet at the arch supporting extension II, I interpose between the sole of the shoe, and my heel 8, or at the heel portion II, a sponge rubber element I2 of greater resiliency than the material of which the rubber heel 8 is made, so as to give added resilience and permit the hemispherical portion 9 to be compressed more toward the lower surface, in other words to approach the lower surface of the heel 8.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I show a slightly modied form of heel structure, the heel 8 being substantially the same, however, having a resilient sponge rubber element I4 which is comprised of a thinner section I6 interposed between the leather heel I3, and the rear rubber heel portion I 0, and being of a thicker dimension at I5, so as to t the dimensional space between the upper surface of the heel 8, and the under surface of the sole I'I of the shoe, at the same time having a portion I6 which ts the edge of the leather heel I3.

In making my heel with the arcuate extension II, accumulation of mud, dirt, and foreign substances is prevented.

Another advantage is the fact that the inside of the heel is rounded at the corners. This construction prevents the wearers heel from catching into the cuffs of the trousers while walking or going up or down stairways, which often causes serious accidents such as falling on stairways or even while walking on level surfaces. It also prevents damage to the trouser cuiTs.

The heels provide cushioning of the arches, with gentle support to those arches, and give buoyancy to the step and cushion the body weight. They are particularly useful to barbers, dentists and to those workers that are required to stand at their work or profession.

In the foregoing description, I have embodied the preferred forms of my invention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein, without departing from the principle, and sacrificing any of the advantages in my invention. Therefore, I reserve the right to myself to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rubber heel for footwear comprising, a. heel portion congurative with the heel portion of a shoe provided with an inner extension of arcuate shape having on the outer surface thereof and at its mid-point a button portion, and a sponge rubber intermediately positioned insert of the same configuration as the said inner extension.

2. A rubber heel for footwear comprising, a heel portion congurative with the heel portion of a shoe provided with an inner extension of arcuate shape having on the outer surface there-f of and at its mid-point a substantially hem-- ispherical button portion, and a sponge rubber intermediately positioned insert of the same configuration as the said inner extension.

3. Arubber heel for footwear comprising, a heel portion congurative with the heel portion of a shoe provided with an inner extension oi arcuate shape having on the outer surface thereof and at its mid-point a button portion, and a. sponge rubber intermediately positioned insert of thev same coniiguration as the said inner extension, the contour of the said heel having rounded edges preventing the said heel from catching in and damaging garment portions extending over the shoe. l f

4. A rubber heel for footwear comprising, a heel portion congurative with the heel portion of a shoe provided with an inner extension of arcuate shape having on the outer surface thereof and at its mid-point a substantially hemispherical button portion, and a sponge rubber intermediately positioned insert of the same configuration as the said inner extension, the contour of the said heel having rounded edges preventing the said heel from catching in and damaging garment portions extending over the shoe.

HIRAM H. PIFER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,185,606 Smith May 30, 1916 1,488,739 Cosper Apr. 1, 1924 1,809,405 Ehrenfried June 9, 1931 1,907,612 Tarlow May 9,1933 

